title: Simulation of a Hazardous and Noxious Substances (HNS) spill in the marine environment: lethal and sublethal effects of acrylonitrile to the European seabass.
abstract: Despite the extensive maritime transportation of Hazardous and Noxious Substances (HNS), there is a current lack of knowledge on the effects posed by HNS spills on the marine biota. Among the HNS identified as priority, acrylonitrile was selected to conduct ecotoxicological assays. We assessed the acute and subletal effects of acrylonitrile in seabass, followed by a recovery phase to simulate the conditions of a spill incident. The work aimed at testing a broad range of biological responses induced by acrylonitrile. Sublethal exposure to the highest two doses increased the fish mortality rate (8.3% and 25% mortality in 0.75 and 2 mg L(-1) acrylonitrile concentrations), whereas no mortality were observed in control and 0.15 mg L(-1) treatments. Additionally, important alterations at sub-individual level were observed. Acrylonitrile significantly induced the activities of Catalase- CAT and Glutathione S-Transferase - GST; and the levels of DNA damage were significantly increased. Conversely, Superoxide Dismutase- SOD - activity was found to be significantly inhibited and no effects were found on Lipid Peroxidation- LPO and ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase - EROD - activity. Following a 7d recovery period, the levels of CAT, GST and EROD fell to levels at or below those in the control. In the 2 mg L(-1) group, SOD remained at the levels found during exposure phase. This study has gathered essential information on the acute and subletal toxicity of acrylonitrile to seabass. It also demonstrated that 7d recovery allowed a return of most endpoints to background levels. These data will be useful to assist relevant bodies in preparedness and response to HNS spills.
authors.affiliation: CIMAR/CIIMAR, Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Rua dos Bragas 177, 4050-123 Porto, Portugal. Electronic address: tneuparth@ciimar.up.pt.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Neuparth
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Capela
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rey-Salgueiro
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Moreira
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Reis-Henriques
mesh_terms: D000181:Acrylonitrile / Q000633:toxicity*; D000818:Animals; D001492:Bass / Q000502:physiology*; D002374:Catalase / Q000378:metabolism; D055884:Chemical Hazard Release; D002959:Civil Defense; D019363:Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1 / Q000378:metabolism; D005982:Glutathione Transferase / Q000378:metabolism; D015386:Hazardous Substances / Q000633:toxicity*; D008954:Models, Biological; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D015386:Hazardous Substances; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D002374:Catalase; D019363:Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D005982:Glutathione Transferase; D000181:Acrylonitrile
keywords: Acrylonitrile; Acute toxicity; Hazardous and Noxious Substances (HNS) spills; Recovery period; Seabass; Sublethal toxicity